Abstract: Airbag configurations and systems are provided to protect a vehicle occupant in an oblique crash event. In one embodiment an airbag includes first and second side panels and a main panel coupled to the first side panel along a first seam and coupled to the second side panel along a second seam. The main panel can include a curved configuration to match expansion of the second side panel. The airbag configuration is provided for protection for an oblique crash event to absorb energy from occupant movement in the oblique direction and to retain and reduce head rotation of an occupant. In one embodiment, a method for controlling an airbag system is provided that includes detecting a crash event and activation of an airbag and a side curtain airbag (SCAB). The SCAB may be activated to contact the airbag and to control volume/loading of the airbag.

Abstract: Airbag configurations and systems are provided to protect a vehicle occupant in an oblique crash event. In one embodiment an airbag includes first and second side panels and a main panel coupled to the first side panel along a first seam and coupled to the second side panel along a second seam. The main panel can include a curved configuration to match expansion of the second side panel. The airbag configuration is provided for protection for an oblique crash event to absorb energy from occupant movement in the oblique direction and to retain and reduce head rotation of an occupant. In one embodiment, a method for controlling an airbag system is provided that includes detecting a crash event and activation of an airbag and a side curtain airbag (SCAB). The SCAB may be activated to contact the airbag and to control volume/loading of the airbag.

Abstract: An occupant protection system is used to protect an occupant from vertical acceleration of a vehicle. The system includes a sensor that detects when a vehicle is subjected to vertical acceleration and a lowering means for a vehicle seat. The seat lowering means actively lowers, or forces the seat in a generally downward direction based on a signal from the sensor. Also, a seat for a vehicle includes a support that may withstand a vertical acceleration of the vehicle, a sensor that may detect the vertical acceleration, and a seat lowering means. The seat is connected to the support, and the seat may slide in a downward direction relative to the support. The seat is lowered by the seat lowering means at least partly in response to a signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor system includes an electrically conductive surface and an air coil in proximity to the electrically conductive surface. The air coil includes a first coil and a second coil. The first coil forms a wire winding pattern having a cross section perpendicular with the cross section of a wire winding pattern of the second coil. The sensor system also includes a controller electrically coupled to the air coil and configured to sense a change in impedance of the air coil due to relative movement between the air coil and the electrically conductive surface. The sensor system also includes a safety device electrically coupled to the controller.

Abstract: A sensor system is provided. The sensor system includes an electrically conductive surface and an air coil in proximity to the electrically conductive surface. The air coil has a wire winding pattern with an “L” shaped cross section. The sensor system also includes a controller, coupled to the air coil and configured to sense a change in impedance of the air coil due to movement of the electrically conductive surface. A safety device is coupled to the controller. The controller activates the safety device if the change in impedance of the air coil exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The severity of a crash is discriminated from a measure of relative motion of first and second elements of a vehicle, wherein an initial time is recorded when a variable point in the associated phase space of relative velocity and relative displacement crosses a first threshold boundary, and a safety restraint actuator is actuated if a subsequent time when the variable point crosses a second threshold boundary is within threshold period following the initial time. In accordance with another aspect, a type of impacting object is discriminated from a first measure of relative motion at a first location, and a crash severity is discriminated from a second measure of relative motion at a second location, wherein the relative motion at the first location is unipolar for one type of crash and bipolar for another, and the relative motion at the second location is unipolar for both types of crashes.